Clarke "copping it from crowd" is part of the game: Kiwi group

Published: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 13:14 [IST]

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Wellington, Mar 16(ANI): New Zealand cricket supporters group, the Beige Brigade, has said that Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke will be "copping it" from the crowd during the first Test between Australia and New Zealand at Basin Reserve in Wellington.

It will be Clarke's first on-field appearance since splitting with fiancee Lara Bingle.

"For anyone to suggest a story that has been all over the newspapers, on every TV station, every radio report and all over the internet sites is going to be ignored when the Test starts- they don't have a prayer," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Paul Ford, Beige Brigade founder, as saying.

"What was Mike Hussey thinking when he said it was out of bounds? It's something that every New Zealander and every Australian has been talking about at the pub, and at work. Put it this way. If Dan Vettori (New Zealand captain) was going through some trouble and he was going out to play at the WACA or the MCG, he'd be hearing about it, too."

"Copping it from the crowd is part and parcel of it. Don't our players get a hard time in Australia? Of course they do," he added.

Ford further said that the controversy of the high-profile relationship has given a lot of New Zealanders a reason to attend the game.

"He seems like a pretty easy guy for us to dislike - a latte-drinking, Aston Martin-loving type of guy. But he's a fantastic player and probably a tough little bugger. I think he's been pretty dignified how he's handled everything and I doubt any banners or comments at the ground will put him off his game," Foed said.

"Great players like him usually don't react, but we'll be trying to put him off," he added. (ANI)